With quite a gaping hole at the strong safety spot, many San Diego Chargers fans were hoping general manager A.J. Smith was finally going to fill the position this offseason by signing Tyvon Branch, an Oakland Raiders defensive back who was scheduled to become an unresticted free agent this month. Branch is no longer in play, though, after the Raiders slapped him with the franchise tag today.
"We are pleased that Tyvon will return to the Raiders in 2012," Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie said in a statement. "Tyvon is a talented, productive player who we hope will be wearing the Silver and Black for many years to come. We will continue to work on a long-term deal to make that happen."
This is bad news for San Diego, as the 25-year-old Branch was the best veteran strong safety expected to hit free agency this offseason. A punishing tackler who's been a force at stopping the run inside the box, Branch had 109 tackles, a sack, and an interception in 2011. Unfortunately, he's sticking with the hated Raiders.
Branch was picked in the fourth-round of the 2008 draft. That's one round later than when Chargers running back Jacob Hester was selected that same year. Hester is a below-average change of pace running back who has done pretty well on special teams. Another brilliant move by A.J.!
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